IPSWICH'S Waterfront has received a fresh boost today after it emerged a popular pizza chain are in talks about moving to the location.Pizza Express, which boasts chains across the country, is considering setting up shop within the Regatta Quay development having made an offer for one of the units.

IPSWICH'S Waterfront has received a fresh boost today after it emerged a popular pizza chain are in talks about moving to the location.

Pizza Express, which boasts chains across the country, is considering setting up shop within the Regatta Quay development having made an offer for one of the units.

Meanwhile it has also emerged that Morgans Wine Bar, currently in Arcade Street, has signed up to move to the development.

Agents Penn Commercial are also in talks with a number of possible tenants, including a convenience store chain, deli chain Subway and a coffee bar about the two further units.

In total Regatta Quay boasts five Waterfront retail units.

Besides Morgans Wine Bar, the prestigious Pitcher and Piano chain of bars has also signed up for a unit.

Penn Commercial are also in talks with a national hotel chain about taking over several units at the rear of the development.

Vanessa Penn, of Penn Commercial, said: “We have done really well with the commercial part of the scheme.

National brands are showing they are confident about going into the Waterfront.

“The pitcher and piano chain are very selective and don't take up many units in a year.

“Once you get a national chain like that, you tend to get everyone's attention.”

The new arrivals is a further boost for Ipswich's fast growing Waterfront.

Last week The Evening Star revealed that around 20 restaurants, cafes and bars are in the pipeline for the area.

Today's news has boosted this figure to 24.

Besides the Regatta Quay units, two restaurants and four cafés are in the pipeline for the Cranfield Mill development.

Meanwhile a £2million redevelopment of the Isaac Lord Quarter, set to feature a new bar and café, will be joined by a number of cafes at the nearby £25million Custom House Square development which has a construction start date of Autumn this year.

Other developments in the pipeline include a restaurant and cocktail bar on Wherry Quay, restaurants and a bar at the forthcoming St Peter's Port development of hotels, as well as new restaurants at Neptune Marina and the landmark “marquee restaurant” at Orwell Quay.

Will Ipswich Waterfront take off as a leisure destination? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Bistro on the Quay

Il Punto

Salthouse Harbour Hotel

Coffee Link at Neptune Marina

Isaac Lord bar

The Last Anchor

Other Coffee place (Bellway development)

Others close by:

Brewery Tap

Ship Launch Inn

Loch Fyne

Lord Nelson

Steamboat Tavern